Music
Press
“Her voice rises and falls with a brilliant drama that comes straight from the gut. Imitators of Janis Joplin sound like imitations, however, Gaye Lee Russell has the uncanny ability to use her natural talents to belt out Janis Joplin songs with the uncontrived raw power you would expect from Janis herself.”
Mathew Taylor, music critic for Distractions Magazine/Rock Review
All I can say, is absolutely great voice!!
You simply rock!
Carron (Eddie Law/Street Team USA)
“Gaye Lee Russell puts so much soul and balls into her vocal performance, that if Janis Joplin were alive today, she might be envious.”
Music Monthly
The CD is great... gotta say though that you are a million times better in person! And to those out there who haven't heard Gaye Lee and her band then you are in for a real trip..... this girl IS the spirit of that time and I swear she is channeling Janis Joplin. Plus the band is fantastic no matter what they play.
Keri/Alien Web Design
“She’s Janis Joplin reincarnated.”
Jonathon Nicholas "Oregonian Newspaper"
“Shes the hottest singer I’ve ever heard”
Kenneth Hanselman (quote from "The Torch” Newspaper
Wonderful performance at the Axe and Fiddle in the Grove! Awesome! I'm so glad I got to see you perform for the first time, and am looking forward to other performances. You were all just awesome!
Owner Axe and Fiddle, Cottage Grove
The story begins in San Franscisco in the early '70's. Roger McConnell hears rumours about a talented young "ballzy" "perfect pitched" "no rock unturned" female vocalist that was fast working her way through the Bay Area sceen as the one to check out.
Although, demanding respect on her own, Gaye Lee Russell quickly realized that together with Roger McConnell, they could move mountians.
Playing for growing audiences with songs like "When a Man Loves a Woman", "Walking on Sunshine" and "Stormy Monday" mixed together with their own Blues, Jazz and original R&B. The duo combined with fantastic local and area musicians.
- Press Fans and Critics
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Bio
From the full blown "Janis Experience" Featuring Gaye Lee Russell in front of thousands, or a cozy club scene in front of a few hundred with Gaye Lee Russell, or even all the way down to an intimate duo/solo evening with Gaye Lee Russell, "The Experience" delivers the classics as well as original songs leaving no doubt in the listener's mind that they are hearing a gifted world class musician doing what she loves to do, in many different genres and on many different levels.
On stage from the tender age of just fourteen, Gaye Lee Russell opened for Muddy Waters and has continued to perform with major rock and blues artists throughout her life. She has shared stages and studios with national and internationally known musicians such as Robert Cray, Bachman Turner Overdrive, Joan Jett, Big Brother and The Holding Company, John Mellencamp, Hank Williams Jr., Merideth Brooks, The Tommy Castro Band with Magic Dick, Mason Williams, John Hendrix and Annie Ross among many others.
Gaye Lee Russell has for most of her adult life worked hard to diversify into Jazz, Blues and Rock with her own original songs and personal interpretations of songs from masters like Etta James, Billy Holiday, Lydia Pence and Tina Turner.
Gaye Lee has devoted years to get away from the stigma that follows her where ever she performs. No matter what she sings, as soon as she hits the stage it is crystal clear to the listener what she was born to do.....They yell, plead and chant, "Sing Janis Joplin..!!"
Gaye Lee Russell has accepted her calling and teamed up with powerhouse guitarist Roger McConnell. Together they recreate the truest essence and dynamic style of "The Pearl" with the most accurate renditions of Janis Joplin songs imaginable !!
A superior "live" guitarist, Roger McConnell masterfully presents all guitar parts (normally reserved for studio dubbing) on all the Joplin songs, live !!! Roger brings a certain light and energy to all of his musical endeavours which places him in high demand on club and studio circuits. He has shared stages with Starship, Quiet Riot, Foghat, Robin Trower, Rick Derringer, Savoy Brown and Comander Cody just to name a few.
Roger McConnell is also one of the founding members of the extravagant, West Coast, power pop band, Phamous Phaces and has 2 European festival tours under his belt. This well seasoned musician together with Gaye Lee Russell is a match made in musical heaven. Check out the entire story how Gaye Lee and Roger met in the real San Francisco scene in the '70's on "Janis Experience" myspace site
http://www.myspace.com/janisexperience
http://www.myspace.com/gayeleerussell
Whether you are seeing and hearing the "Janis Experience" featuring Gaye Lee Russell or Gaye Lee Russell with support or solo, you just can't help but to jump up, sing along and realize that you have either traveled back in time or are witnessing Janis Joplin come back to life...
"The Experience" is amazing !
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